CS 457/557 - Computer Networks
MIS420/520 - Networking in a Business Environment
SYLLABUS

Course Prerequisite: Junior Standing and a familiarity with computers.

Required Textbook(s):

1. Applied Data Communications, A business-oriented approach 2nd Edition by James E. Goldman, Wiley & Sons, 1998, ISBN: 0-471-17067-4.
2. A Guide to Networking Essentials; Tittel & Johnson; Course Technology; ISBN: 0-7600-5097-X

General Objectives

1. To provide a unified view of the field of computer communications.
2. To discuss various communications architectures and protocols.
3. To introduce the students to several communications models including the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI).
4. To present several Local Area Networks like Novell's Netware, UNIX networks, Windows peer-to-peer and Windows NT.

Specific Objectives

1. connect computers in a local area network
2. work in a Windows peer-to-peer network environment
3. work in a Unix network environment
4. work in a Windows NT network environment
5. connect and use a modem
6. use the Internet as an example of a WAN
7. understand the OSI model
8. be comfortable with the vast array of terms and concepts in data networking

Major Topics

1. Data Communications Industry
2. Data Communications Concepts
3. Basic Data Communications Technology
4. Voice Communications Concepts and Technology
5. Local Area Networks Concepts and Architectures
6. Local Area Network Hardware
7. Local Area Networking Operating Systems
8. Wide Area Networking Concepts, Architectures, and Services
9. Internetworking
10. Remote Access and Wireless Networking
11. Enterprise Networks and The Internet
12. The Network Development Life Cycle
13. Network Security
14. Network Management

Instructional Methods and Techniques

1. The class will meet for two one-hour twenty-five minute lecture/discussion periods.
2. The lectures should be conducted using state-of-the-art multimedia techniques including a computer projection system.
3. There should be facilities for demonstrating software and access to computer networks in the classroom.
4. Some lectures may be supplemented with videos to allow students access to information not currently available on campus.
5. The course may also include lectures by invited speakers and visits to local industries and research labs.
6. The labs should stress hands-on applications by the students.

Assignments for Course

1. Readings from the textbook(s)
2. Outside reading from popular computing and information technology periodicals like PC-Week, PC-Magazine, etc.
3. Readings from documents found on the Internet
4. Weekly lab assignments may include -
   1. installing a network card and connecting to a LAN
   2. using the Internet for e-mail, ftp, and accessing the web
   3. installing a peer-to-peer network
   4. setting up a client and using Netware
   5. setting up a client and using Windows NT
   6. using UNIX

Evaluation

1. Midterm(s) and Final Exams over the lectures and readings consisting of both non-essay and essay questions.
2. Homework including lab assignments and/or frequent quizzes on material discussed in class and lab.
3. The students would be expected to summarize their readings in a weekly journal. These journals should be submitted electronically using the campus e-mail system.
4. Networking project - preferably hands-on but may be replaced by a term paper / report on an emerging topic in computer networks
5. Graduates students will be expected to complete an additional comprehensive term paper and web site

Course Evaluation (approx.):
****NOTE: Graduate students are expected to do higher-quality work on all assignments, quizzes and exams******

1. Lab assignments & weekly homework assignments = 300 - 400 pts.
2. Frequent quizzes (10 pts each) = 100 - 150 pts.
3. electronic journals = 100 pts.
4. attendance and class participation = 50 pts.
5. Research project and presentation (including web page) = 100 pts.
6. Reseach paper (including web page)[required for all Graduate Students] = 100 pts.
7. MidTerm = 100 pts.
8. FINAL EXAM = 200 pts.

Grades may be determined according to this scale :

Honor Policy: Cheating will not be tolerated. Any student caught cheating will be given a zero on the assignment or exam. Repeat offenders will be given an F for the course and may suffer expulsion from the university. All work must be your own. You may discuss the material in the course and help one another, however, I expect any work you hand in for a grade to be your own. Plagiarism will result in, at best, an "F" for the assignment. A simple way to avoid inadvertent plagiarism is to talk about the assignments, but don't read each other's work or write solutions together. Keep scratch paper and old versions of assignments until after the assignment has been graded and returned to you. If you have any questions about this, please see me immediately.

Class Attendance: Class attendance is the responsibility of the student, and it is the student's responsibility to independently cover any material s/he may miss. Class attendance and participation may also be used in determining grades. You should attend all lab sessions. Attendance will be taken.

Makeup Exams: Makeup exams will be given only if the instructor is notified IN ADVANCE of the exam with a legitimate reason for missing the exam.

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